Find out how much water and food your household should store for an emergency, from three days to a month, including pets.
Loading the Emergency Supply Calculator…
How this calculator works
Water follows Ready.gov guidance of at least one gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Because nursing mothers, sick people and anyone in a hot climate may need more, the calculator adds 50% when you choose a hot climate. Pet water is estimated at about one ounce per pound of body weight per day.
Food is estimated at about 2,000 calories per adult and 1,500 per child per day, shown as calories and as a count of shelf-stable meals. The checklist below the results lists the other basic supplies Ready.gov recommends.
Tips
- Ready.gov recommends at least several days of supplies; many households build toward two weeks.
- Store water in food-grade containers and replace it on the schedule on the label (commercially bottled water) or about every six months (water you bottled yourself).
- Choose foods your family already eats and that need no cooking or little water.
- Keep a smaller grab-and-go kit in your car and at work.
Frequently asked questions
How much water do I need for a family of four for two weeks?
At one gallon per person per day, a family of four needs 56 gallons for 14 days, more in hot weather.
Does this include water for cooking?
The one-gallon guideline covers drinking and basic sanitation. Add more if your stored foods need water to prepare.
How long does stored water last?
Commercially bottled water can be kept until the date on the label. Ready.gov suggests replacing water you store yourself every six months.
Sources
These are planning estimates. Follow instructions from local officials during an emergency, and talk to your doctor about storing extra prescription medication.
More free tools: see all tools.
